Trash bag support and liner

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a simple and inexpensive removable trash bag support and liner. The liner of the present invention is a single, generally rectangular piece of plastic, preferably about 1/16″ thick, about 32″ high, and with a width (which becomes the perimeter) about 68″. Also, the liner may have several hand holes near its upper and lower edges to facilitate lifting it out of the bag when the bag is full of debris. Also, the liner has a temporary locking mechanism for holding it in a set cylindrical position. When the lock is engaged, the bag liner may be set in a self-standing manner for its edge, and an empty garbage bag easily placed over the liner. Then, when the liner and bag are inverted to the upright position, releasing the locking mechanism lets the liner automatically expand to fit tightly within the plastic bag. Preferably, the locking mechanism is a combination tab near an outside edge of the liner, and a cooperating open slit near the center of the liner, for example, about 41″ toward the center and away from the tab.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part of the non-provisional application entitled Trash Bag Support and Liner filed by Tom Tomlin on Jan. 14, 2002 with application Ser. No. 10/046,948, which claims priority from the provisional application filed by Tom Tomlin on Jan. 12, 2001 with application Ser. No. 60/261,378. This application claims priority from both of these applications and incorporates them herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to refuse collection, and more specifically relates to removable flexible liners for supporting trash bags in the open, upright position.

2. Background Information

There have been many versions of trash bag supports and liners. For example:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,936,087 (Alexander) discloses a debris collection receptacle with an open cylindrical base with a handle on one side, and semi-cylindrical scraper tray extending upwardly from the other side. A plastic garbage bag is carried outside of the cylindrical base and retained on it by frictional engagement between the handle and base and tray and base.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,778 (Boyle) discloses a smooth liner sheet having interconnected vertical panels that are freely swingable toward and away from one another.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,011 (Rylander) discloses a flexible bag holder with a body of normally flat planar configuration, but enough memory characteristics for springing radially outwardly to form one cylindrical configuration, and for returning to normal flat planar configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,609 (Tobin) discloses a flexible bag support with a substantially rigid, flat back panel, and two foldable connected side panel members.

U.S. Design Pat. No. 361,185 (Seiler, et al.) discloses an ornamental design for a bag support insert which is a series of alternating, vertically-foldable panels which also have a horizontal fold line near their tops.

Still there is a need for a very simple and inexpensive removable trash bag support and liner. This invention addresses that need.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a device for opening and supporting a bag having an open mouth end. This device comprising an elongated, generally flat sheet of plastic, a transversely extending, generally rectangular slot defined within the sheet, and a transversely extending, generally U-shaped slot defined within the sheet opposite and in alignment with the generally rectangular slot. It is preferred that the said U-shaped slot defines a flange. Preferably, this U-shaped slot is defined by a pair of legs connected together by a base, and the U-shaped slot is closer to the first end than the rectangular slot is to the first end. Furthermore, it is preferred that the U-shaped slot be oriented within the sheet so the legs are generally parallel to the length and the base is generally perpendicular to the length, and where the legs are closer to the first end than the base is to the first end.

It is further preferred that the sheet have a pair of opposing ends defining a length and a pair of opposing sides extending along the length. A plurality of crosswise extending hand holes configured for grasping by a user are likewise preferably provided, at least one of the hand holes being adjacent to each of the sides.

In use, the sheet is bendable so that the flange is insertable in the rectangular slot and thereby lockable in the cylindrical form for sleevable insertion into the bag mouth end. After such an insertion, a user slides the two ends of the sheet relative to one another thereby releasing the flange from its insertion into the rectangular slot thereby allowing the sheet to unbend and hold open and support the bag.

The purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a plan view of one embodiment of the liner of the present invention laying flat in a fully opened position.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1A, but in the upright, fully closed and temporarily locked, position.

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the position depicted in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a side, perspective view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 2A and 2B, but in the inverted, upside-down, partially opened position with a garbage bag placed over it.

FIG. 3B is a side, perspective view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, but in the re-inverted, upright fully opened position with the garbage bag frictionally held on the liner's outside surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

The present invention, as shown in the figures (FIGS. 1A-3B) is a device for opening and supporting a bag preferably having an open mouth end (i.e. a trash bag). The present invention also comprises the method of using such a device to open the mouth end of such a bag.

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, shown is the preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment showing a liner 10 for lining a bag. This liner having a width (W) and a height (H) as well as a top or upper edge T and a bottom edge B. The liner further having a body/sheet 11. As can be seen from the Figures, the preferred shape of the liner is generally rectangular, preferably with slightly rounded corners on said rectangle. Preferably, the liner is formed of a sheet of plastic one-sixteenth ( 1/16) of an inch think. The preferred height (H) being thirty-two (32) inches and the preferred width (W) being sixty-eight (68) inches.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the liner 10 is manufactured so that both side edges have a slight built-in curl. This way, the side edges will tend to curl inwardly, and wrap around themselves when they are rolled up to be placed inside the bag. This prevents them from forming a “tear drop” shape, or a “T” intersection shape which interfere when they are attempted to be rolled up.

In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of holes are cut through the body of the liner 10 or are otherwise defined or formed therein. In the preferred embodiment, the liner 10 has hand holes 12, 12′ and are provided adjacent to the width side (W), and hand holes 13, 13′ are preferably also provided along the bottom edge (B). While the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes such hand holes, these hand holes are optional, being present or absent at the whims of the manufacturer as well as their location and numbering. The concept between having the hand holes is for allowing the user to grasp the sides of the bag liner 10 to carry it from one location to a next when unrolled or rolled and to afford to the user the easy ability to grasp and pull the liner 10 out of a bag in which it was inserted upon the filling of said bag. It is preferred that hand holes be located on both the top edge and the bottom edge to make the liner more convenient (the user doesn't have to worry about which side is top or bottom in use). The preferred hand holes are approximately one and one-quarter (1¼) inches high and approximately four (4) inches wide, and are located with their top edge being one and one-half (1½) inches inwards from the upper (top) and lower (bottom) edges of the liner 10. It is preferred that these handles be generally parallel with the length of the liner.

In the preferred embodiment the liner's sheet 11 is bendable and lockable within a cylindrical form. In such a cylindrical form, the sheet 11 can be inserted into the open mouth end of the bag 20 (or the bag can be inserted thereupon as shown in FIG. 3A). In the preferred embodiment the manner of locking the sheet 14 within its cylindrical form is accomplished through use of at least one pair of slots cut through (or defined) in the liner sheet 11. These slots comprising a generally U-shaped slot 15 and a generally rectangular shaped slot 16.

The U-shaped slot 15 defining a flange 14 extending between the two legs 21, 21′ of the slot. This flange 14 is preferably comprised of the same material as the rest of the sheet, being an extension therefrom that is quite flexible and able to be bent upwards or downwards. Opposite U-shaped slot 15 is a mating rectangular slot 16. This rectangular slot 16 preferably transversely extending. Preferably, the flange 14 defined by the U-shaped slot 15 configured in size for receipt within the rectangular slot 16. It is preferred that the U-shaped slot be defined by a pair of legs 21, 21′ connected to one another via a base 23 thereby creating the “U-shape.”

It is preferred that the sheet 11 have a first end 25 opposite a second end 26. It is preferred that the U-shaped slot 15 be located within the sheet 11 closer to the first end 25 than the rectangular shaped slot 16 is to the first side 25. It is further preferred that the U-shaped slot be oriented within the sheet 11 so that the legs 21, 21′ are generally parallel to the length/width (W) and the base 23 is generally perpendicular to the length (W). It is further preferred that the legs 21, 21′ be closer to the first end 25 than the base 23 is to the first end 25.

In FIG. 1B shows an end on view in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, showing the flexibility of the flange 14 extending away from the liner 10.

In FIG. 2A shows the embodiment of FIG. 1A as it would appear top down if the sheet 11 was rolled into its cylindrical form with the flange 14 of the U-shaped slot extending through the rectangular slot 16 therein locking the sheet within its cylindrical form. FIG. 2B illustrating the side view.

Referring now to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, shown is an environmental view of the embodiment of the present invention in use. The sheet 11, in its cylindrical form would be set upon a ground surface and the bag 18 would be fitted over the top of the liner 10. In doing so, the open end/top 20 of the trash bag 18 would merely be fitted over the top of the cylindrically locked liner 10. When the bag 18 has been sufficiently placed upon the liner 10, the user would flip the entire assembly over thereby resulting in an open top trash bag 18 with the cylindrically locked liner 10 therein.

The user grasping the sheet, one hand on the first end, one hand on the second end, sliding them with respect to one another and making the cylinder into a smaller cylinder. This process releases the flange 14 from engagement with the rectangular slot 16 so that through spring forces within the rolled up liner 10, the bag liner would unroll thereby filling the internal side walls of the bag and providing a bag support generally shaped like the invention of the bag (shown in FIG. 3B). Upon filling the bag which is now lined with the liner 10, the liner would be lifted out of the bag thereby leaving the filled bag (which could then be tied and disposed of properly). The liner could then be reused within another bag.

While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. A device for opening and supporting a bag having an open mouth end, said device comprising: an elongated sheet; a transversely extending, generally rectangular slot defined within said sheet; and a generally U-shaped slot defined within said sheet opposite and in alignment with said generally rectangular slot, said U-shaped slot defining a flange; whereby said sheet is bendable so that said flange is insertable in said rectangular slot and said sheet is thereby lockable in cylindrical form for sleevable insertion into said open mouth end; wherein a user can reach into said cylindrical form and bend said flange thereby releasing said flange from its insertion into said rectangular slot thereby allowing the sheet to unbend and hold open and support said bag.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated sheet is generally flat.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated sheet is comprised of plastic.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said sheet further defines at least one hand hole configured for grasping by a user.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sheet has a pair of opposing ends defining a length and a pair of opposing sides extending along said length.
 6. The device of claim 5, comprising a plurality of crosswise extending hand holes configured for grasping by a user, at least one of said hand holes adjacent to each of said sides.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said U-shaped slot is defined by a pair of legs connected together by a base.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said U-shaped slot is closer to said first end than said rectangular slot is to said first end.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said U-shaped slot is oriented within said sheet so said legs are generally parallel to said length and said base is generally perpendicular to said length.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said legs are closer to said first end than said base is to said first end.
 11. A device for opening and supporting a bag having an open mouth end, said device comprising: an elongated, flat, plastic sheet, having a pair of opposing ends defining a length and a pair of opposing sides extending along said length; a transversely extending, generally rectangular slot defined within said sheet; and a generally U-shaped slot defined within said sheet opposite and in alignment with said generally rectangular slot, said U-shaped slot defining a flange, said U-shaped slot defined by a pair of legs connected together by a base, said U-shaped slot is closer said first end than said rectangular slot is to said first end, said U-shaped slot is oriented within said sheet so said legs are generally parallel to said length and said base is generally perpendicular to said length, wherein said legs are closer to said first end than said base is to said first end; and a plurality of crosswise extending hand holes configured for grasping by a user, at least one of said hand holes adjacent each of said sides; whereby said sheet is bendable so that said flange is insertable in said rectangular slot and said sheet is thereby lockable in cylindrical form for sleevable insertion into said open mouth end; wherein a user can reach into said cylindrical form and bend said flange thereby releasing said flange from its insertion into said rectangular slot thereby allowing the sheet to unbend and hold open and support said bag.
 12. A method of opening and supporting a bag, said method comprising the step of: providing an elongated sheet having: a transversely extending, generally rectangular slot defined within said sheet; and a generally U-shaped slot defined within said sheet opposite and in alignment with said generally rectangular slot, said U-shaped slot defining a flange; bending said sheet into a cylindrical form; inserting said flange in said rectangular slot; locking said sheet in said cylindrical form; inserting said cylindrical form into a bag's open end; reaching into said cylindrical form; and bending said flange thereby releasing said flange from its insertion into said rectangular slot thereby allowing the sheet to unbend and hold open and support said open end.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said elongated sheet is generally flat.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said elongated sheet is comprised of plastic.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said sheet has a pair of opposing ends defining a length and a pair of opposing sides extending along said length.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said sheet comprises a plurality of crosswise extending hand holes configured for grasping by a user, at least one of said hand holes adjacent to each of said sides.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein said U-shaped slot is defined by a pair of legs connected together by a base.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said U-shaped slot is closer to said first end than said rectangular slot is to said first end.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said U-shaped slot is oriented within said sheet so said legs are generally parallel to said length and said base is generally perpendicular to said length.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said legs are closer to said first end than said base is to said first end. 